Nappies Huggies brand closes its Australian factory after more than 30 years when production moves to China – leaving hundreds of employees out of jobs
- Huggies factory in Ingleburn has closed its doors after 30 years of making diapers
- Parent company Kimberley-Clark has made a production shift to Asia
- A total of 220 employees were fired by the factory closure
- The closure is one of a number of iconic Australian brands that are moving abroad
Huggies, one of Australia's iconic brands, closed its Australian factory on Wednesday after 30 years of making diapers.
The move made a total of 220 employees redundant, as the brand owner, Kimberley-Clark Australia, moved his production to Asia.
Employees were able to leave the factory in Ingleburn, New South Wales for the last time on Wednesday afternoon.
Huggies, one of Australia's iconic brands, closed its Australian factory on Wednesday after 30 years of making diapers
An employee told 9 News that he worked 12 hours in shifts and would miss his & # 39; s.
& # 39; It becomes sad, very sad, & # 39; he said when he left the factory.
& # 39; We have actually seen more of each other because we work 12 hours a day than we of our families, these people are like family. & # 39;
The factory was opened in 1988 and has made millions of diapers for Australian children over the past three decades.
Kimberley-Clark said the change is about & # 39; faster access to the latest developments in research and engineering in diapers and pants & # 39 ;.
The company has denied that the relocation of production would affect the quality and price of their diapers after some parents had expressed their concerns.
The company also has a factory in South Australia.
Some factory workers have expressed concern that the move is one of a number that indicates that the next generation of Australians cannot find factory work.
The move made a total of 220 employees redundant because the brand owner, Kimberley-Clark Australia, moved his production to Asia
An employee told 9 News that he worked 12 hours in shifts and would miss his & # 39; s
Electrical engineer Martin Cordina, 43, who works at Powered Innovations in Wetherill Park, NSW, told Daily Mail Australia that the foreign relocation of the industry has influenced job security among traditions, beginning learners, and even changed the quality of goods.
& # 39; Huggie's excuse was due to & # 39; research & development & # 39; but it's a diaper business. "It doesn't matter where the diaper is made, it's the same technology, so it's just an excuse for cheaper production to make more profit because labor costs are too high here," he said.
"We are not only giving away the product [abroad], but we are giving away the knowledge and expertise," he said.
& # 39; It's a concern because we have to think ahead a generation. We must not only think of people now – our friends, our colleagues & # 39; s – but we must also think of our children. & # 39;
& # 39; Will they be able to have a job? They can go to university to study, but what will they use it for? In addition to IT and warehouses, there will be little or no production.
& # 39; I think companies should have a certain amount of debt because they want to make the same profit, or more, at the expense of employees. The government is also to blame for letting this practice happen. & # 39;
The move is similar to that of another iconic Australian brand, Bonds, whose parent company Pacific Brands Underwear Group, moved their production to China in 2009.
The relocation of bonds led to the loss of 1,850 jobs in New South Wales and Victoria.
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